District of Columbia Hybrid Graduate Business Degree

Hybrid Business Graduate Programs combine the flexibility of online courses with the personal interaction of campus and classroom learning to help students develop a thorough understanding of business concepts and methods. Sometimes called ‘blended’ or ‘low residency’, these business programs are often designed for current professionals and on-the-go adults who hope to advance, retool or change careers.

With concentrations such as accounting, business administration, finance and more, students may be able to focus their studies to build the practical skills and knowledge they seek.

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Why Consider a Hybrid Business Degree Program?

Unlike purely online programs, hybrid business graduate programs may provide the opportunity to expand networks and learn directly from faculty. When on campus, students might get to know their professors and peers to foster personal, mentoring relationships. While online, students tap into the convenience of virtual classes that are accessible from anywhere. This approach might allow students to earn their business degree in a program that suits their schedules. Moreover, students may benefit from any collaborative exercises, orientation or in-person feedback that may be harder to grasp through online study alone. For instance, students may get to work on cross-functional teams to complete projects and analyze real-life business cases.

On Location Without Relocation

Graduate business degrees are often intensive with plenty of time spent in research and study. At the same time, if you do already work full-time, you may not be able to just pick up and relocate. While there is no ‘one’ hybrid format, you do not necessarily have to live close to the business school you choose to take part in the residencies. On the other hand, you may be able to find a flexible MBA that is near to work, part-time and based in the evenings. Keep your needs and preferences in mind as you conduct your search.

Experiential Learning

One of the hallmarks of hybrid business graduate programs is ‘experiential learning’. What this means can vary by business school, but is generally fostered through things such as in class exercises, presentations, and team consulting projects. Essentially, it takes concepts such as leadership out of the e-book and textbook into real-time practice - or, experience. As a side benefit, students may take away the ability to problem solve, think critically and effectively communicate.

Types of Hybrid Business Graduate Programs

Hybrid Business Graduate Programs may be available at all levels – Certificate, Masters, MBA, PhD and Professional Doctorate. Core courses typically aim to introduce advanced-level topics in areas of business such as accounting, finance, marketing, human resources and operations management. Many programs then offer a wide variety of elective courses, where students can tailor their degree to mirror personal and professional research and practice interests.

It is important to note that each hybrid business graduate program has its own admission requirements. Within this framework, applicants to masters programs generally need a bachelors degree and may have to meet a minimum GPA. Similarly, a masters or MBA might be needed to apply into some doctoral business programs. Other material such as resume, work experience, GRE and GMAT scores, personal essay and references may also be required.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to O*NET, when asked about their education, 26% of CEOs responded they had a graduate degree.

Hybrid Masters in Business Programs

Some of the common Masters in Business degrees that may be available in the hybrid format are the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) and the Master of Business Administration (MBA). Traditionally, the MS is delivered with a science or technical focus while the MA has a humanities and liberal arts focus. Within that context, both the MS and MA tend to tackle one topic in depth. By contrast, the MBA covers a set of core courses to provide an overview of functional business topics. From there, students often choose a concentration area to refine their knowledge base.

Hybrid PhD in Business Programs

At the doctoral level, two of the common degrees that might be available in the blended online format are the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). While both are terminal degrees in their respective business discipline, the PhD is a research degree with a slant towards academia. By comparison, the DBA is a professional degree where the focus is on applied research and practice. It is typically targeted at those with extensive managerial skills who want to enhance their abilities and expertise.

Hybrid Graduate Certificate in Business Programs

Hybrid Graduate Certificates in Business may be awarded in many s of study. Some certificates are designed for students with a bachelors degree who may want to add onto current skills, prepare for a masters program or learn new skills to foster a career switch. Other certificates are designed to help students with a masters degree refine their expertise, or even, stay up-to-date with recent trends and technology.

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Shorter term than full business graduate degrees, certificates may entail about five courses. As a result, they may be introductory in nature, or focus on a single topic. A general or introductory program might be a great idea for non-business students who want an overview of graduate level business concepts. Single focus certificates, such as an Advanced Accounting Certificate, may help students explore new business areas or fulfill course requirements for their state CPA exam.

Explore Hybrid Graduate Programs for Business Majors

While for some, business will mean operations and managerial styles, business is a broad field with many sub-domains. Accounting, criminal justice, finance, organizational leadership and of course, business administration, are several examples of other business majors. To find the hybrid business degree that aligns with your goals, look more deeply into each subject. Then, compare the types of degrees offered to see which one fits your purposes. Below are a few highlighted examples of hybrid business graduate programs to get you started.

Accounting

Hybrid accounting graduate programs may enable students and CPAs to fulfill state requirements for various certifications, such as the Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA) credential. Some programs may allow students to choose an area of emphasis such as Forensic Accounting or International Accounting. Others may appeal to students who want to prepare for their CPA exam. With the flexibility of online courses, professional students may be able to complete their extra 150 hours of study with minimal disruption to current work demands.

Business Administration

Hybrid MBA programs tend to expose students to key aspects of business education. Coursework might include topics such as Accounting, International Business, Ethics, Marketing, Finance, Organizational Behavior, Quantitative Analysis, Entrepreneurship, Leadership, and Strategy. These concepts may be bolstered through things like threaded discussions online, then applied in class through teamwork and leadership exercises.

Organizational Systems

Hybrid PhD in Organizational Systems programs may help students who have their masters degree develop refined managerial and leadership skills. A mix of online courses in systems design and transformation and residential conferences, students may benefit from hands-on advising and support for their own research.

GradSchools.com offers 2 Business Hybrid Degree Programs

Hybrid business graduate programs may be available through regionally accredited universities. This stamp of approval can speak to the quality of a university’s faculty, curriculum, student services and financial stability. Beyond that, some individual business programs may be approved by professional accreditors in their respective area. The Association for the Advancement of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation is just one example.

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EducationDynamics maintains business relationships with the schools it features.